This report presents an overview and analysis of
air quality in Europe from 2002 to 2011. It reviews progress
towards meeting the requirements of the air quality
directives and gives an
overview of policies and measures introduced
at European level to improve air quality and
minimise impacts. An overview of the latest findings and
estimates of the effects of air pollution on health
and its impacts on ecosystems is also given.

Distribution of stations by thresholds of SO2 99.18 percentile concentrations for the year 2011. The chart is based on the 99.18 percentile of the SO2 daily concentrations, corresponding to the 4th highest SO2 concentration when data availability is 100% over the year.

In the air quality directive (2008/EC/50) the EU has set two limit values for sulphur dioxide (SO2) for the protection of human health: the SO2 hourly mean value may not exceed 350 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) more than 24 times in a year and the SO2 daily mean value may not exceed 125 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) more than 3 times in a year.

In the air quality directive (2008/EC/50), the EU has set two limit values for sulphur dioxide (SO2) for the protection of vegetation within the zones designated by member states: the SO2 annual mean value may not exceed 20 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) and the SO2 mean value for the winter period (1 October to 31 March) may not exceed 20 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3).

In the air quality directive (2008/EC/50), the EU has set two limit values for sulphur dioxide (SO2) for the protection of vegetation within the zones designated by member states: the SO2 annual mean value may not exceed 20 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) and the SO2 mean value for the winter period (1 October to 31 March) may not exceed 20 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3).

Late lessons from early warnings is about the
gathering of information on the hazards of
human economic activities and its use in
taking action to better protect both the
environment and the health of the species
and ecosystems that are dependent on it, and
then living with the consequences.
The report is based on case studies. The
authors of the case studies, all experts in
their particular field of environmental,
occupational and consumer hazards, were
asked to identify the dates of early warnings,
to analyse how this information was used, or
not used, in reducing hazards, and to
describe the resulting costs, benefits and
lessons for the future.